Chapter 1: Brush strokes of the past
Painting—it has always been my favorite hobby. I loved it so much that I took Fine Arts in college and eventually graduated with that degree.
Now, I work as a book cover commissioner… but I'm also a screenwriter in my own company.
Yep, that's me.
"Mr. Endo, would you like to attend the event?" my secretary asked.
"I'm afraid not. I'm still preparing the requirements for the new employees," I replied.
"Would you mind telling them I'm not available right now? Just send my gratitude, that's all."
"As you wish, Sir Endo," she said politely before leaving the office.
I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair, finally letting myself take a short break.
"Lyx!!"
A familiar voice shouted. It might sound strange, but let me introduce this loud weirdo—Shion, also known in the company as "The Great Director."
"So, how's life, hmm?" he asked, grinning.
"Pretty good," I replied without much thought.
"Great. Well then, I'd like to report something interesting," he said, eyes gleaming.
"What is it?"
"There's an author named Qin Yuan. The company's planning to produce a live-action adaptation of his novel. You're being considered as the screenwriter, right?"
As he spoke, that name echoed in my head like a whisper from the past.
"Maybe. Mr. Kant told me he'd be the one choosing the screenwriter."
I started walking slowly, trying to ignore the tightness forming in my chest.
"But you know," Shion added, "Kant said Qin Yuan never reveals his face."
I paused. "How are you so sure about that, Kiryu?"
He shrugged and smiled, "We'll find out."
That name… Qin Yuan.
It didn't ring a bell. But for some reason, it lingered in my mind longer than it should have.
There was something oddly familiar about it—like a scent I couldn't place, or a dream I'd forgotten the moment I woke up.
I shook the feeling off.
Maybe it was just the way Shion said it. Or maybe I was just overthinking again.
Still… why did my chest feel so tight?
I looked out the window, eyes tracing the slow drift of gray clouds.
Qin Yuan.
Just a name. A stranger.
Right?
But even as I told myself that, a quiet whisper in the back of my mind refused to let go.
"Calyx, are you okay?" Kant asked, eyeing me with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, still looking out the window.
"It seems like something's bothering you," he continued, before getting to the point. "Anyway, I'm here to report that Qin Yuan personally chose you as the screenwriter for his novel's live-action adaptation. For more details, you can contact him through this link."
He handed me a printed sheet with a link attached.
"Thanks for the report, Kant," I said, managing a smile—
Until… my stomach growled loudly.
Kant burst into laughter, and of course, Shion had to hear it too.
"Did I interrupt something?" Shion asked, grinning.
"It seems like his tummy needs attention," Kant chuckled.
"I'm fine, really," I said, embarrassed.
"Let's eat. I'm starving too," Shion offered.
We headed out for a quick meal. Around us, a bunch of young writers were seated—chatting, laughing, and tossing around story ideas. As a former writer myself, it warmed my heart. I felt… proud.
Until—
"Mr. Endo!!" someone called out.
I turned to see a few of my employees waving at me with excited faces.
"Oh—hey, Calyx," Fei said. "This is Qin Yuan."
He bowed politely.
Standing before me was a man with an almost surreal presence. Sharp eyes. Calm aura.
He looked… ethereal.
"Mr. Qin looks so ethereal…" Kiryu whispered beside me.
"Does he even exist?" Kant muttered.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Endo, Mr. Kant, and Mr. Shion," Qin said, bowing again.
And just like that—Kant and Shion fainted.
"…Did they just—?" I blinked, staring down at my unconscious coworkers.
"They fainted," Qin Yuan said calmly, adjusting the sleeves of his coat as if people collapsing at his presence was normal.
Fei panicked. "Should I get water? Or… or a mop?!"
"A mop?!" I repeated.
"I don't know! I panicked!" Fei flailed.
Meanwhile, Kiryu crouched next to Kant and poked his cheek. "Still breathing. He might've passed out from beauty overload."
"You'd think they were meeting a k-drama lead, not an author," I muttered.
Qin Yuan looked at me, slightly amused. "Do I have that effect on people often?"
"No," I deadpanned. "But in this office? Apparently yes."
Shion suddenly groaned, one eye half-open. "Did heaven send a man down to Earth or did I just see a living book character?"
"Back to sleep, Shakespeare," I said, pushing his head gently back down.
Qin Yuan chuckled quietly. "This is quite the welcome."
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "You have no idea."
Kiryu grinned and leaned over to me. "You sure you don't remember him? Maybe you bumped into him in a past life and made a pact to meet again—in this chaotic mess."
"Kiryu, shut up."